LOVE CURRICULUM : A Professional Affair

|1| Duty

• Mishti •

It was the day of the entrance exams, conducted all over India for students aspiring to pursue their bachelor’s degrees in central universities. The exam was held in various schools, including ours. I didn’t know which teacher would be accompanying me during the exam; two teachers were allotted to each class. We were called to the school's meeting room.

I walked inside and looked around at the male and female teachers who taught higher classes. I teach accountancy to class 12 students. I love playing with numbers, and accounts are one of my favorite subjects—that’s why I chose this path. I smiled at everyone as they looked at me. I’m not a social butterfly; I mind my own business. I’m usually introverted, so I don’t talk much, and I don’t have any friends here. I have colleagues. Because at this age, we all should have set boundaries, right? Not everyone is our friend. We need to specify who to call a friend and who to call a colleague. So, here, everyone is my colleague for now.

I settled myself beside Mr. Mohit, who smiled at me. He teaches math in the non-medical stream, so we have less interaction, which I prefer. I switched on my phone and saw that the seat to my left was taken by Mr. Abir Malhotra. Damn. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something different about this man. He is my colleague too. We interact often because we are in the same department and teach the same class. So, yeah, we talk, but only to a limit. But there’s something about him that always makes me nervous. I don’t know why.

He smiled at me and asked me how I was doing. I asked him too, and then we both focused on the meeting as the vice principal was instructing us about the exam. In about an hour and a half, we were done with the meeting. Then I found out that my duty for tomorrow is with Mr. Abir Malhotra. Why? I don’t want to. But alas, I can’t do anything.

He came towards me, smiling and showcasing his dimples. "So, see you tomorrow, Ms. Mishti."

"Sure, sir," I replied.

Bidding him goodbye, I went to the parking lot and settled myself into my car. From my car’s headlights, I could see teachers talking with each other—sorry, gossiping about the students, I guess—rather than going home. He was there too with Mr. Mohit. Why am I seeing him? Shut up, Mishti. I started my car and drove towards my society.

°°°°°°°

I made my way towards my flat. I live in a SUNSHINE GREENFIELD society that is truly beautiful. Unlocking the door, I stepped inside and saw that everything was out of place. Deciding to eat something first, I ordered a pizza and a Coke for myself. In the meantime, I cleaned my house and put everything back in its place.

Sometimes, I imagine what my life would be like if my parents were still here with me. They died in a car accident when I was 10 years old. My father's side of the family didn't accept me, so I lived with my mamu in Amritsar, Punjab. My mumma was Sardarni and my papa was Punjabi. I'm basically a Punjabi. I know how to speak Punjabi. Until the age of 18, I lived with my nanu, nani, mamu, and mami, who love me like their own daughter, along with my brother and sister.

My brother went to Canada for his bachelor's studies, and mamu wanted me to go there too, but I refused. I didn't want to burden them. So, I did my bachelor's at the central university of Delhi and started earning on the side. Then, for my master's, I came to Mumbai, having secured a good scholarship, which made me less of a financial burden. Mamu again wanted me to go abroad, but I refused, saying I didn't want to go far from them.

Since then, it's been three years, and I'm teaching at one of Mumbai's top high schools and earning a good income. With my own money, I bought this flat and a car. Sometimes, mamu comes here to spend time with me, and sometimes I go to Amritsar during my holidays.